Festival of Our Lady of Peace

A Village Festival in the Heart of Ravenna

The Festival of Our Lady of Peace is one of those events that give an idea of what a community festival truly means. It takes place every year in May in the San Rocco district, near Porta Sisi, in the Municipality of Ravenna (Province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna), around the 17th-century archpriest church dedicated to the saint. It is organized by the Parish of San Rocco, which for over forty years has transformed the churchyard and parish courtyard into a square, kitchen, theater, and place of prayer.

The name comes from the image of Our Lady of Peace venerated in the parish: the festival was indeed born as a religious feast and retains this devotional heart, but over the years it has expanded to become the great village festival, capable of attracting people from far beyond the district's borders.

Devotion and Religious Moments

The common thread remains faith. The opening is entrusted to the Holy Rosary and the evocative procession with the image of Our Lady of Peace through the streets of the district, often accompanied by the city band. During the festival days, there is also space for the children's First Communions and a Holy Mass dedicated to wedding anniversaries, moments deeply felt by the district's families.

Romagna Gastronomy in the Courtyard

The parish courtyard is the realm of Romagna cuisine. The gastronomic stands offer the classics that make the festival famous: fried fish, hand-made tagliatelle served "all you can eat," mixed grill, sausage and fries, up to themed evenings like the famous paella by reservation. All at popular prices, with the proceeds supporting the parish's activities.

Shows, Games, and Village Festival

Alongside the food, a rich program of evenings for all ages: Romagna dialect theater, performances by parish talents, family bingo, dinner with a mystery, card tournaments (burraco), and cinema screenings for adults and children. The heart of the event is the village festival, with a market in the district's squares, live music, and entertainment. The festival concludes with the awards ceremony for the "Per un Borgo a pennello" (For a Picture-Perfect Village) competition and the drawing of the charity lottery.

Why It's Worth Visiting

The Festival of Our Lady of Peace is an opportunity to experience an authentic Ravenna, far from the mosaics and large tourist flows: the Ravenna of the districts, the Pro Loco associations, and the parishes that still keep the tradition of the village festival alive. An ideal event for those who want to taste real Romagna cuisine in a simple and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.